Excerpt "Dandelions Never Die" Trampoline session

Eric and Ricky sat on the couch in the living room, entertaining Bree. Sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of them, she giggled as they told her funny stories from the movie sets Ricky had been on. But as the time neared for Shelley's ex-husband to take his leave, Eric became distracted. He excused himself, rose and moved to peer out the window.
Ricky had told him of the conversation he'd overheard between Robert and Shelley. Robert's words were hateful and disrespectful and Eric searched for the right way to handle the problem without causing any backlash on Shelley. He could let it go, say nothing, but that would be a coward's way out. And he was no coward. It was time someone stepped in to defend the woman.
Robert entered the room, a little boy holding each hand. Eric turned to face him. "Robert, may I speak with you candidly for a moment?"
Immediately Ricky rose. "Uh, c'mon guys," he motioned to the boys. "Show me your room." Bree followed Ricky's lead, grabbed Mark and Joey's hands and headed upstairs.
Robert approached Eric, who stood his ground. A tactic of mild intimidation on both men's part.
"Ricky told me of the conversation," Eric began calmly, "between you and Shelley, and I just wanted you to know that I completely agree with you."
Robert's eyebrows rose. Eric continued.
"Those little boys of yours and Shelley's are adorable and it's obvious they've been raised well. I'd never think of exposing them to anything that would be considered risque` or unwholesome. Please be assured mine and Shelley's relationship will be handled very discreetly and in good taste."
Robert smiled at him and extended his hand. "You seem to be a fine intelligent man, Eric. I appreciate your cooperation."
"There's just one more thing," Eric added as he took Robert's hand. "As the mother of those boys, Shelley has every right to be spoken to with respect, and we both know the way you addressed the subject with her was not respectful in any way."
Eric's eyes were piercing and Robert's expression fell. Eric smiled warmly then. "So, we have an understanding?"
Robert cleared his throat. "Of course. I, uh, may have let my temper get the best of me, momentarily." He withdrew his hand from Eric's grasp. "Eileen," he called. "It's getting late. We need to get going."
Eileen entered, looking vastly relieved. Quickly she grabbed her hat and purse.
When Shelley bid them farewell and finally closed the front door, she turned, surveyed the mess, decided to ignore it, and went upstairs to her room. Safe and alone she collapsed on the bed, pondering the day. Why did he always make her feel like she was nothing? Why did she let him? The tears came then until exhaustion overcame her.
She woke with a start in the dark. Wondering what everyone was up to while she'd taken her impromptu nap, she made her way downstairs. She found the kitchen spotless, the dishwasher humming a contented tune. Peeking out the back door, she found the lot of them outside, lying on the trampoline, talking softly.
"Thanks everyone, for cleaning up for me," she said as they raised their heads at her approach.
"Don't thank us," Bree answered. "It was Ricky's idea. He said he owed you one."
Eric held his hand out to her, and pulled her onto the trampoline where she squished in between Eric and Bree and stared up at the darkening sky.
"I feel terrible," Shelley whimpered.
Mark sat up. "That's Star Wars."
"Nuh uh," Bree corrected. "The Empire Strikes Back. It's the scene after the empire has just finished torturing Hans Solo."
"What are you talking about?" Ricky asked.
"It's a game we play," Bree answered. "We love old movies, so if a famous line from a movie fits into an everyday situation, we use it and one of us has to guess the movie it came from or the character that said it. Sounds silly, I know. But sometimes it's really funny."
Eric smiled at the picture Bree painted, then tugged on Shelley's hand. "Well, you may feel terrible now, Shelley, but I'm sure you'll feel better in the morning after you've worked out."
"Oh, yeah, right," Shelley agreed sarcastically.
"C'mon Ricky," Joey pleaded. "Hurry up and try your triple."
"A triple?" Shelley asked.
"I sort of talked myself into a jam. I told the boys I used to be able to do a triple and they don't believe me. So now I've got to prove myself. Only your trampoline is sprung and I'm not sure I can get enough height. But I'm gonna try anyway."
"Remember," Shelley said. "There is no try. There is only do."
Joey jumped up. "That's Yoda in Empire Strikes Back again."
Everyone moved off the trampoline to give Ricky room. He jumped several times before trying the triple. Unfortunately, he didn't make it quite all the way. He lay moaning.
Bree hopped back on the tramp. "Can you move at all?"
Mark cried out in a feminine voice, "If you want I could fly!"
Shelley laughed and turned to Eric to explain. "That's from The Princess Bride."
"It's our favorite movie,"Joey offered, as he climbed back on the tramp and began to bounce.
Ricky stood to show he was okay and pulled Bree up with him. "C'mon Bree. Your turn."
"No way," she protested.
"C'mon, I've got you," Ricky coaxed.
"You've got me? Who's got you?" she laughed.
Shelley, Mark and Joey all chimed in at the same time. "Superman."
Eric smiled at their game. What an adorable family. He wanted to be a part of it. "Okay, give me some one-liners and let me try," he said.
Everyone climbed back onto the trampoline, sat in a circle and tried to think of easy ones.
"They're hee-eere," Joey said.
Ricky jumped in excitedly. "Oh– oh– Poltergeist!"
"Very good," Shelley sang as if he were a little boy.
Mark came up with one. "Snakes? I hate snakes."
Shelley whispered in Eric's ear. "Raiders of the Lost Ark," he repeated.
"You're cheating, Mom," Mark complained.
"Well— we're back— in the car again," Bree called out. They waited for Eric and Ricky to answer but none came.
Shelley laughed. "That's Jurassic Park."
"I know one you'll know," Mark said. "Boards don't hit back," he said in a thick Chinese accent.
Finally a light went on in Eric's brain. "That's Bruce Lee in Return of the Dragon."
"Yaay," everyone cheered for Eric. "He finally got one."
"Well, only sorta," Shelley announced. "It's actually Enter the Dragon."
"I don't think so," Eric said defensively.
"No, believe me," Bree said. "If Mom says it's Enter the Dragon, she's right."
"Yeah, Mom's in love with Bruce Lee," Joey laughed.
"Oh really?" Eric teased as he turned her toward him.
Shelley only giggled.
"Okay, Mom," Bree said. "These guys need some help. We're gonna call them out to you real fast and you, Eric or Ricky answer as quickly as you can. Ready?"
"Yes, but don't say any of Ricky's movies. That wouldn't be fair."
"Okay, here goes. Nice plant— Big!"
"Little Shop of Horrors."
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
"Wizard of Oz." Shelley elbowed Eric. "Come on, that one was easy."
"Guns? We don't need no stinkin' guns."
"Three Amigos."
"I, I, I– want the knife— please."
"The Golden Child."
"So far you guys haven't been much help," Shelley laughed.
"We're trying," they whined.
Bree, Mark and Joey continued their onslaught.
"You weigh a little more than 108 pounds. Oh really?"
"That's Batman. The one with Michael Keaton."
"You're cold because all of the blood is running out of your body. You're going to be dead soon."
"Point Break."
Joey giggled. "Mom and Bree are both in love with Keanu Reeves."
Bree elbowed Joey while Mark continued with the game.
"Surfin's a source. It'll change your life, swear to God."
"That's Point Break again," Shelley said.
"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?"
"That's Rush Hour," Ricky yelled. "Yes. I got one!"
"Take me to bed or lose me forever," Bree said.
Eric's eyes lit up. "That's Meg Ryan in, in, Top Gun."
Shelley punched Eric. "It figures you'd know that one."
"I'm not sure he's right. Say it again, Bree," Ricky said.
She did. "Oh yeah, Bree. I think I remember now. Say it just one more time."
"Take me to bed or– " she stopped, finally realizing what Ricky was doing. Her face turned red. She glanced over at him to find him smiling at her. He winked.
"Yo, Rick, there are minors present," Eric said. "Not to mention, Bree's mother."
Shelley cleared her throat. "Well, I think that's enough for tonight."
"Just one more," Joey yelled. "I promise it's an easy one."
"Okay, one more," Shelley allowed.
"I LOVE BEING A TURTLE!"
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," they chanted together.
Shelley smiled and hugged Eric where he lay on the trampoline. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad day after all.
Mark and Joey crawled over to either side of Shelley and snuggled up close. A few minutes later they were sound asleep.
"It's been a long day for these little guys," Eric said. "Flying all the way in from California and all the excitement of seeing Mom again, I'm sure they're exhausted. I'll help you carry them to bed."
Eric lifted Mark and Ricky offered to take Joey but Shelley refused. She climbed down off the tramp and let Ricky place him in her arms.
Once the boys were tucked snugly into their beds Eric took Shelley by the hand and led her into the dining area, sat her down at the table and handed her pencil and paper. "We have things we need to work out."
"Now?" she asked with a yawn.
"Now is always a good time to accomplish something."
They worked out a schedule allowing Shelley to keep training intensely, the boys to be properly taken care of, and extra time to give the children their promised lessons. Once they completed the chore Shelley stood and silently made her way upstairs to her room, motioning for Eric to follow. She closed and locked the door behind him.

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